Western Education Release New Single "Rivals"

Lowell Mass Alt Rock band, Western Education, release "Rivals" single

If Interpol and The Killers had a collaboration, it would probably be “Rivals”. Lowell, Mass Alt Rock band, Western Education, has released the first single off their up coming 2014 album. "Rivals" is available on Bandcamp as a "name your price" download.

In a November YouTube video, the band announced they will begin recording their first full length sometime in January 2014 and to be on the lookout for a video for “Revivals” this December.

Hear Now Live presents Western Education, along with Cougar Bait, Swift Technique, Arms and Ears and Jalopy, at The Precinct in Union Square, Somerville on December 28th. For full event details, please visit the official Facebook event page. Follow Western Education on Twitter and Facebook for additional shows and record updates.

Record Store Day Black Friday at Tres Gatos

While Black Friday may take a turn for the worse in shopping malls across the country, Record Store Day brings music fanatics together for a day of collectable commerce...and sometimes tapas. Shop local this Black Friday at fine record stores like Tres Gatos in Jamaica Plain.

"For two days out of every year, our record store literally takes over our restaurant in an all-out, unabashed celebration of vinyl: Record Store Day in April, and Black Friday.

We are really excited about the huge batch of indie-exclusive vinyl that we’ve ordered for this Black Friday. This is all limited edition, highly sought after stuff, true gems for any serious record collector.

We open our doors at 10am sharp on Friday, November 29, and our restaurant bar, tables and stools will be COVERED with records. We’re offering free coffee, and free record cookies baked by our very own pastry chef, Allyson West. All day long, there will be a 10% discount on turntables and used vinyl, as well as a 50% discount on a selection of hardcovers and first edition books.

We hope to see you there. Thank you for supporting your local indie record shops!"

The bar will open at 2pm, and the restaurant will open for normal dinner service at 5:30pm. Check out the Record Store Day Black Friday post for a complete list of special releases on November 29th and follow Tres Gatos on Facebook and Twitter.

Trophy Lungs Record Release Show - November 30th

RTT Presents Boston pop punk band, Trophy Lungs', No Judgement Record Release Show featuring The Offseason, Rebuilder and Weak Week at O'Brien's Pub in Allston on Saturday, November 30th. This is a 20+ show, $8, doors at 8pm.

Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling Premiere Music Video for "Episode 10 - Living in Harmony"

Catch Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling with Ruby Rose Fox and Feints on December 6th in Somerville

On a quest to write and record 17 songs, each one based on and inspired by an episode of the '60s cult sci-fi TV series, The Prisoner," Boston band, Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, have premiered the music video for "Episode 10 - Living in Harmony", off By Hook or By Crook.

Singer/drummer Sophia Cacciola explains, “This video was shot by our longtime photographer/videographer Kelly Davidson. We shot it at 5 Wits [at Patriot Place in Foxborough, MA] and created our own story within their sets. They let us have a full day of running around, pushing all of the buttons and getting the smoke machine going so you can actually see those lasers! It was wonderful to get access to their huge physical studio setting and production.”

You can catch Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling with Ruby Rose Fox and Feints at Davis Square Theatre on December 6th. Additional show information and tickets purchase can be found at BrownPaperTickets.com.

Original news source.

Give the Gift of Local Art and Underlining Sarcasm

This season, find the prefect gift in art. From maps pertaining to regional identities, to disgruntled penguins and zombies, a local print can be the perfect gift for that 'hard to buy for' person.

David Buckley Borden combines the derogative expression of “Masshole” with a variety of Massachusetts’ soil horizons.

Record Store Day Black Friday

Shop Record Store Day Black Friday November 29th

Forget the flat screen TVs and Xboxes, splurge on some music during Black Friday. On November 29th, head to your local record store for exclusive Record Store Day Black Friday finds including limited edition vinyl, box sets, rare collectable 7” and more. Find a participating store near you.

View the list of SPECIAL RELEASES that will be available this season at independent record stores. 

Download your very own shopping guide PDF.

Trophy Lungs - "No Judgement" 7" & Record Release Show

Hear No Judgement live at O'Brien's Pub (Allston) November 30th

Boston pop punk trio, Trophy Lungs, will release the anticipated No Judgement 7" (Death to False Hope Records and Drink or Die Records) on November 29th. Earlier this year the band contributed to the This Is New England – A 100% Benefit Compilation, opened for Masked Intruder at the Middle East in Cambridge and most recently toured the East Coast promoting their new record. As a consistent presence in the Boston punk community (these guys are everywhere), Trophy Lungs continue to refine their sound.

In true punk fashion, “Left of Center” opens with an ambiguous sound clip before breaking into the pop punk style Trophy Lungs is known for. I attribute a lot of my fondness for this 7” to bassist Kelly McGuire’s vocals on “Dad’s Away on Business” and guitarist Kevin Bogart's Big D reference, "When 28 bucks is all you got". Although this 3-song sample is primarily one note, Trophy Lungs manages to do it well.

You can catch them live and in action during their Record Release Show at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston on November 30th alongside The Offseason, Rebuilder and Weak Week. Follow Trophy Lungs on Facebook and Twitter for additional show dates. No Judgement will be available for purchase on the band's online merch store on November 29th.

Save Ends Record Release Show

After returning from FEST12, Save Ends has announced their record release show scheduled for November 22nd at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston. The show also features fellow FEST performer, Somos, as well as The New Warden and Little Big League (PA).

Warm Hearts, Cold Hands is the band’s first full length, released on Tiny Engines. The LP is available on limited edition colored vinyl including Blue with White/Green Starburst, Transparent Fiery Orange, Transparent Light Blue and Opaque Gray. Pre-orders can be made over at Tiny Engines’ site. Warm Hearts, Cold Heads, along with the 2012 EP, Strength vs Will and 2010 EP Ten or Better can be heard on Spotify.

The Save Ends Record Release Show is 21+, $8, doors at 8pm. Additional information including links to each band's Bandcamp page can be found on the official Facebook event page.

Bent Shapes Premiere Music Video for "Behead Yrself Pt. 2"

The indie pop trio from Boston have premiered their official music video for ‘Behead Yrself, Pt. 2’, off their 2013 LP, Feels Weird (Father Daughter Records). Two words. Cat Bass.

Bent Shapes is currently on tour and will be stopping at The Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge on December 5th. Feels Weird, available in classic black and Bone & Electric Blue vinyl, can be purchased on Father Daughter Records website.

What Your Go-To Retailer Says About You

Wear your personality on your sleeve

Our clothes are a reflection of our personalities. What does your go-to retailer say about you?

Pie in the Sky 2013

Thanksgiving just got a lot sweeter with Pie in the Sky

Each November since 1993, Boston's best restaurants, bakeries, caterers and hotels donate thousands of pies that over 600 volunteers then sell to family, friends and colleagues. Each pie costs $25, providing a week's worth of hearty home-delivered meals to a Community Servings' client and a tasty Thanksgiving treat to the buyer. This Thanksgiving, purchase a pie from Pie in the Sky and $.93 of every $1.00 goes directly to feeding Community Servings' clients.

Choose from apple, pecan, pumpkin, sweet potato, diabetic apple. Have a pie donated to a Community Servings’ client or donate additional cash. The last day to purchase a pie is November 23rd, but you can donate to Pie in the Sky anytime.

Purchase a pie today!

Community Servings, based in Jamaica Plain, is a not-for-profit food and nutrition program providing services throughout Massachusetts to individuals and families living with critical and chronic illnesses. Community Servings delivers 395,000 free, home-style meals to about 1,300 people per year, who are too sick to cook for themselves or their families

The Welch Boys Present the 5th Annual Ron Holbrook Memorial Pine Street Inn Benefit Shows

Two days of hardcore punk for charity

The 5th Annual Ron Holbrook Memorial / Pine Street Inn Benefit Show happens this Saturday (11/16) and Sunday (11/17) at Great Scott in Allston.

After a year off, this annual 2-day event is back and ready to rock. All proceeds will be donated to the Pine Street Inn, a non-profit through which neighbors and friends can help to meet the basic needs of others; and to serve as a national leader in the fight to end homelessness. The shows are performed in memory of The Welsh Boys' former drummer, Ron Holbrook, who passed away in 2007.

Night 1 is 21+ and Night 2 is 18+. Both shows are $15. For additional show info include full lineup and links to advanced ticket ordering, please visit the official Facebook event page.

Bandleader Produces a Few Gems with ‘Coal, Pressure, Time’

Vermont's Bandleader combines folk, indie and rock in 'Coal, Pressure, Time'

There is something inherently vintage with Vermont bands. From 60’s surf rock of Vultures of Cult to the 70’s groove of the Persian Claws, and now the funk infused folk rock of Bandleader, the Green Mountain State boasts bands that warp time into modern sounds. Written with strict principals of simplicity and purpose, while challenging their technical abilities, Burlington, Vermont folk rock band, Bandleader, produces a few gems with their 2013 debut record, Coal, Pressure, Time.

Sarah Rabdau & Self-Employed Assassins CD Release Show

Releases galore happen Friday, November 15th at TTs in Cambridge

Get ready for a Release Extravaganza at TT the Bear's this Friday, November 15th! 

Happy Birthday Kurt Vonnegut

Kurt Vonnegut would have been 91 today. Happy Birthday to my most favorite author / humanist / sarcastic old punk.

“If you want to really hurt your parents, and you don’t have the nerve to be gay, the least you can do is go into the arts. I’m not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possible can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.” — A Man Without a Country

Read more quotes on Flavorwire.

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The BMAs Repsond to Your Bitching

The BMAs responded to what Vanyaland states as "a shitshow" of "bitching" in the most graceful way they know how, defensive sarcasm.

Jeez. It's difficult to believe that there isn't a single PR agent among the 300 "Academy" members. Maybe someone should invest in publicity training. Don't worry, we'll pass the hat.

Find the full BMA response on Vanyaland.com.

Read Bishop And Rook's take on the 2013 BMAs.

OTP – This is a Drinking Challenge

Boston's folk punk band, OTP, plays to a packed Middle East Club on 11.2.13 (image credit)

The generous crowd at the Halloween Hangover VIII at The Middle East last Saturday night was anything but hungover.

OTP (an ambiguous acronym - do with it what you may), hosted a good time, playing Misfits covers and traditional Boston barroom-style sing-along songs off of their 2010 EP, The Folly of Time Travel, 2011 record, Where We’re Found, the most recent 2012 EP, Full Mouth, as well as unreleased tracks.

Boston Hassle Fest 5 - November 8th & 9th

Boston Hassle Fest 5 features over 40 bands and happens Nov. 8 & 9

Boston Hassle, a volunteer-based music blog and Boston events guide, comprised of the Boston Hassle web zine, the Boston Compass newspaper and the Boston Hassle Shows, presents Hassle Fest 5 November 8th and 9th at the Cambridge Elks Lodge.

This year’s Fest includes over 40 bands from all over the country and local favorites including Speedy Ortiz, Guerilla Toss, Fat Creeps and more. This All Ages event runs 4p-11p both days, with late night after parties at the Cantab and Western Front respectfully, and is $15-$20 (sliding scale).

Visit Boston Hassle Fest’s interactive Tumblr page for a full line up, schedule and additional information. And follow Boston Hassle on Facebook and Twitter for live coverage and upcoming events.

Walter Sickert & The ARmy of BRoken TOys - PORNIVAL

The bizarre artists of Walter Sickert & The ARmy of BRoken TOys premier the official music video for “PORNIVAL” (Portable Carnival) from their 2013 album Soft Time Traveler. Look for a cameo by Sophia Cacciola (Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling).

Boston Music Awards Continues to Praise Established Bands

The Boston Music Awards announced the 2013 nominees this week.

 

Proposing that the Dropkick Murphys and Amanda Palmer be nominated a combined fifteen times in the last four years speaks volumes about one’s knowledge of the Boston music scene.

Pulitzer Prize Fighter Wins with Debut EP

Pulitzer Prize Fighter's All Sweetness and Light EP is a fun kaleidoscope of pop, jazz and rock.

From the depths of the angsty punk rock and moody indie dominated Boston music scene comes a novel noise.

Pulitzer Prize Fighter is a Boston band comprised of five different musicians working towards one unique sound.